Esu Community Not Immune To Racial Tension

March 23, 1988|by TERRY MUTCHLER, The Morning Call

In response to yesterday's live video conference at East Stroudsburg University, President James Gilbert said yesterday that many administrators, faculty members and students are blind to the fact that a racial problem exists.

After viewing segments of the four-hour conference "Racism on Campus: Toward an Agenda for Action," Gilbert candidly answered a question about racism on the campus.

"I think we are guilty of denial," Gilbert said. "I think were are probably denying that we have a big problem."

Richard DeSchriver, dean of health science and physical education, cited a recent example of racial tension at a sporting event.

"It was racial pure and simple," he said. "It could have been a potentially explosive situation."

Faculty members at East Stroudsburg echoed the opinions of many administrators nationwide. Oftentimes, they said, a simple sporting event or comment will open a floodgate of mounting racial tensions.

Ulysses Harold Levy, director of affirmative action at East Stroudsburg, said students often wait until the situation explodes before doing anything about it.

"Students don't seem to want to take the initiative in a lot of instances," he said. "Not just in black issues but in environmental issues and date rape."

Geoff Martin, a junior majoring in fine arts, said he believes racism and discrimination are prevalent at the university. But people must make individual commitments to solve the problem, he said, which is often very hard.

"Each of us has to make a commitment that we are going to take a stand on it," he said. "But as students in this context that we are in at this university, it takes a great deal of courage."

Valerie Hodge, acting assistant vice president for student development, said the university doesn't have tangible programs to facilitate the effort.

"The one thing we have is an honor program attempting to recruit academically talented minority students," Hodge said. "Other than that nothing is specifically targeted."

Several programs at other colleges include specific financial assistance, advising programs, and support groups.

Although minimal programs designed for minority recruitment and retention exist, Levy said, he is developing an Affirmative Action Plan and Program.

When the project is completed, he said, more programs will be available.

"Also," he said, "we have a human relations committee which is a university-wide committee established to deal with a lot of issues of minorities."

One reason, Levy said, for the lack of programming was a lack of commitment on the part of past administrations.

"The advent of Dr. James Gilbert has taken a strong leadership role in these areas," he said. "The university is now commited to eliminating barriers that separate. We intend to be in the forefront of these efforts."